The holidays are in full swing, whether you’re a grinch, a fans of the arts or need your concert fix, we got you covered! Who needs a new thing when you can create some special memories and take your loved one (or yourself to an epic experience). Not sure where to go? What if we told you that we have the perfect holiday plans and gift ideas guaranteed to please all the personalities?
Gift experiences are the easiest and most foolproof way to reconnect with your partner. friends and family, and boy do we have some recommendations! Gift your loved ones something they’ll remember for years to come, from incredible concerts and immersive exhibitions, to a special treat for a movie buff and more. You’re sure to find the perfect gifts with our ultimate experiential gift guide below:
1. Santa’s Winter Wonderland
Get festive right on the water at the seaport this season! Santa’s Winter Wonderland is a one-stop for all holiday delights this season. It’s a place to devour delicious cuisine and decadent drinks, roast marshmallows, and even meet Santa! There are so many photo-ops and memories to create at Santa’s Winter Wonderland.
Find out more about this incredible experience with spectacular views & snag tickets here!
2. See the wonder of the New York Botanical Garden
There’s something particularly special about the New York Botanical Garden in the winter. The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden is a staple this time of year. There are also limited evening sessions for families and 21+ nights!
Find out more on how to illuminate your holidays at NYBG here!
3. Give the gift of relaxation this holiday season.
QC Spa is open all winter and you can explore their exciting new expansion, Building 111, and immerse yourself in the ultimate relaxation. Indulge in the delights of Casa QC Bistro, then unwind in heated spa pools with some of the city’s most stunning views.
Explore the themed rooms to the fullest—from saunas to relaxation rooms, and even an ice room! Plus, single and couples massage packages are available. Located on Governor’s Island, this oasis is just a ferry ride away. For more details on the ultimate spa gift, visit here!
4. Put Your Game Face On At Squid Game: The Experience!
The new season of Squid Game drops on Dec. 26th, and you can celebrate all winter long at Squid Game: The Experience in Midtown. Go through various challenges, and you won’t believe the twist! There’s so much cool merchandise, a bar with themed drinks, and Squid Mart presented by H mart, where you can get Korean treats. This experience is amazing whether you’re a Squid Game die-hard or not!
Snag tickets to Squid Game: The Experience, just in time to celebrate Season 2!5. Embrace the festive glow at a Candlelight Concert
Whether you love rock, disco pop, classical music and more, the Candlelight concert series is bringing mesmerizing experiences to NYC’s loveliest spaces! You can catch tributes to your favorite artists, like and more, played by highly talented musicians, including Highline String Quartet.
For fans of classical music, who want to get into the Christmas spirit there are many shows to experience! Enjoy Christmas Carols on Strings at the Sheen Center. The St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church, see Christmas Piano with Alexis French for one night only on Dec. 13th and a Christmas Special featuring “The Nutcracker” from Dec. 20th-21st!
Candlelight’s Best of Bridgerton on Strings is a go-to for fans of the ton! Give the gift of music too. There are Candlelight concert gift cards for that special someone in your life!
Enjoy a series of concerts illuminated by candlelight in some of the most iconic venues in New York!
6. Take a Stroll Around Some Light Trails
Luminosa: A Festival of Lights is open in Queens this winter and it’s creating some epic scenes to walk through! Flushing is magical all on its own with an abundance of culture, food and shopping. Luminosa illuminates this iconic neighborhood even more all through the season!
7. Experience Dining in the Dark: A Unique Blindfolded Dining Experience at La Vibra & The Wilson
Eat a meal using all of your senses! This incredibly unique and reinvigorating experience requires relying purely on your senses besides sight to navigate and enjoy your food. It can enhance your sense of taste, focus on smells, and awareness of texture. After donning your blindfold in the darkened, candlelit room, you’ll be able to experience flavors and textures like never before. And best of all, you’ll get to savor a mystery menu at The Wilson on Dec. 20th or at La Vibra on Dec. 27th & Jan 24th. This will surely be a dinner to remember!
Take a seat and challenge your perception of food!8. Have an Off the Grid Museum Day
Speaking of giving the gift of art, it’s always a great time to go to the museum, especially one that’s under the radar! The Banksy Museum is one experience where you can see so much art inspired by the rebellious visions of Banksy. The Paradox Museum is filled with mind-bending installations!
9. Calling all movie lovers for the AMC Black Ticket
If your Valentine is a film buff, this might be the gift to get! Snag a discount on an AMC movie ticket with the Black Ticket for any 2D experience. There are also tickets to add on for drinks and popcorn, so why not get all the fixings for a proper movie date? Depending on the movie of course, this is one of the few experience where even your littlest Valentine can join you!
Check out more details here on the AMC Black Ticket!10. Lace Up Your Ice Skates & Roller Skates
There’s no shortage of ice rinks all over NYC. Spending quality time with your loved ones ice skating or even gifting a skating class could be a memorable experience. Whether it’s Bryant Park, Domino Park or there are so many ice rinks to choose from. You can even kick it old school and roller skate around Winter Whirl at The Oculus this season!
11. Head to a Captivating Play or Musical
This might seem like an obvious one but NYC has an abundance of good theater. So whether you go to a Broadway or off-Broadway show, theater is accessible in all boroughs! Everyone wants to see “& Juliet” and “The Book of Mormon” of course, but there’s more out there!
It”s the holidays so we couldn’s pass up an opportunity to mention this OG NYC twist to the holidays, you have to check out “The Brooklyn Nutcracker,” it’s only here from Dec. 12th-15h!
12. Enjoy the unique Teardrop Igloos Experience at Somewhere Nowhere
For a luxurious experience, this one-of-a kind winter wonderland will keep you and your loved one cozy and warm! Igloos hold from two to five people and admission includes a bottle of champagne. Whether it’s with your partner or a group of friends and family, soak up epic views of NYC in the comfort of your own igloo! Enjoy the winter season at the Teardrop Igloos Experience!
Cozy up in this igloo at Somewhere Nowhere!